"I apologize for the poor treatment you feel you have received," Victoria would say, "please allow me to try to help." My former roommate used to work at a car dealership. These were some of the Winning Words of Sales. Note in the preceding apology, there is no actual acknowledgement of wrong done. That was kind of the point.

I've never been much of a salesperson. As a child, when I sold wrapping paper, I solemnly knocked on neighbors' doors. "It's okay if you don't want to buy it," I'd say. I did okay with magazines, because I liked them and could understand why people would want to buy them. Still my sales were paltry compared to most. And just a couple weeks ago, Mirabella's gymnastics class had me hocking pizza. Daniel and my mom said my attempts (via e-mail) were half-hearted at best.

It doesn't help that I'm married to a consummate salesman. I cannot understand how he does it and I claim it would never work on me (though, he likes to say I was his most substantial sale). As part of our clutterbusting, we've taken to Craigslist. We have a tally going.

Christina: Bath and Body works items = $5.Things I've given away for free: a baby swing, tub and bouncy seat, dog treats, a body pillow, a trash bag full of hangers, a never worn...ahem....wedding dress, and coffee table.

We've encountered some characters in the process. The people who bought the hutch were nice, but skeptical of Craigslist. Then today, when a heavily bearded man with a cane came in to inspect the aforementioned CD case (priced at $50!), Mirabella leaned over to me and said calmly, "Mommy, I sink dat man is Santa Claus." He did have the flowing white hair and beard, a red shirt and even suspenders. And an enormous belly.

"I don't think so," I told her.

"But he got a white beard. And a red coat. I sink he is, Mom."

As you might have guessed from my list, I have had far more success on freecycle. There is one girl who has responded to my ads for dog treats, the wedding dress, and a baby carrier. I'm not sure if she's me from a former life, or if she just trolls freecycle all day.

Regardless, it's a good thing our livelihood rests on Daniel's ability to sell and not mine. But hey, if you're down on your luck and need some toiletry items or 100 hangers, I'm your girl.

About Me

Christina | Virginia BeachPsuedo Yankee, city-loving former working mom of four finds herself home with the kids and transplanted to the somewhat Southern suburbs. Finding her feet while still attempting to harness the power of the passion of her youth for useful good.